Afghanistan faced various economic opportunities and challenges in the solar year 1403.

From trade issues with Pakistan and the suspension of US aid to currency fluctuations, mining contracts, major projects such as TAPI and Qush Tepa, visits by Islamic Emirate officials to regional countries, and the hosting of domestic and international exhibitions — these were among the key economic developments of the year.

During the year, 252 infrastructure projects worth nearly 74 billion afghani were approved by the National Procurement Commission.

These projects span sectors such as transportation, energy, healthcare, industry, water resource management, and education.

 “These projects will be implemented in areas including water management, electricity, infrastructure, industry, transport, education, and health,” stated Ahmadullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate.

One of the most significant economic events of 1403 was the official launch of the TAPI project on September 12 in the Herat province.

According to the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, over 10 kilometers of the TAPI gas pipeline within Afghanistan have been completed so far.

“This reflects the goodwill and wise policy of the national leader of Turkmenistan, its President, and other officials who have established good relations with neighboring countries, especially Afghanistan, and maintain good neighborliness,” said Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate.

 “The good relations between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan continue. The commencement of the TAPI project and other projects is beneficial not only for Afghanistan but also for the countries in the region. Turkmenistan is striving to strengthen its ties with Afghanistan,” stated Serdar Berdimuhamedow, the president of Turkmenistan.

The year 1403 was also transformative for the mining sector. In major mining projects alone, over $1.3 billion was invested.
The Ministry of Mines reported: “Contracts were signed for the extraction of three salt mines in Faryab worth $24 million, the ‘Tuti Maidan’ gas field in Jawzjan with an Uzbek company valued at $1 billion, and cement production in Yatim Taq, Jawzjan with a Turkish company worth $163 million.”

“In 1403, we had a gas field contract worth $1 billion with an Uzbek company, 29 small-scale contracts with domestic companies worth around 2 billion afghani, and 10 large-scale contracts with both domestic and foreign companies involving investments of about $380 million,” said Ministry spokesperson Homayoun Afghan.

During this year, the Industrial Parks Law was ratified, land was distributed to industrialists, and factories worth $200 million began operations in sectors such as beverage production, steel smelting, textiles, and blanket manufacturing across various provinces.

“To support domestic industries, the Agricultural Development Fund has purchased machinery needed by some of these factories worth 100 million afghani,” stated Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, deputy prime minister for economic affairs.

In 1403, 37 domestic and 13 international exhibitions were held. Afghanistan participated in exhibitions in Kabul, Astana, Turkey, Uzbekistan, China, Dubai, and other countries.

Nooruddin Azizi, acting minister of industry and commerce, said the goal of these exhibitions was: “To create new opportunities for economic and trade cooperation between Afghanistan, Turkey, and the region, promote Afghanistan’s halal products and services in global markets, and attract foreign investment — particularly from the brotherly and friendly nation of Turkey.”

Also in 1403, the first National Labor Conference was held, and memorandums of understanding were signed to create employment for over one million people.

 “Despite severe restrictions, the Islamic Emirate considers the fight against unemployment one of its top priorities,” stated Abdul Manan Omari, acting minister of labor and social affairs.

Alongside the progress, unresolved challenges such as the suspension of US aid, frozen Afghan assets, stalled key projects like CASA-1000, Trans-Afghan, and the Aynak copper mine in Logar, and trade issues with Pakistan continued to cast a shadow over the country’s economic growth in 1403.